Aplomado Falcon Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesAplomado Falcon
Adult
Individuals in the U.S. and northern Mexico have thicker breast bands that extend all the way across the breast. Note the long black-and-white tail and rusty lower belly.
© Tom Johnson / Macaulay LibraryTexas, February 17, 2011Adult
Flies on long pointed wings. Note the barred underwings and long black-and-white tail.
© Jon Irvine / Macaulay LibraryJunín, November 20, 2018Adult
When perched in a tree, tends to perch on the inner branches. Note the long tail that extends beyond the wings when perched.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryTexas, March 03, 1997Not all videos have sound
© Gualberto Becerra / Macaulay LibraryCoclé, August 03, 2011
Adult
A medium-sized falcon with a bold black-and-white facial pattern. Individuals in the Andes of South America tend to have darker backs and have a narrow, incomplete breast band.
© Bryan Calk / Macaulay LibraryTexas, May 05, 2017Adult
Found in dry grasslands with mesquite or yucca.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryTexas, March 03, 1997Not all videos have sound
© Santiago Imberti / Macaulay LibraryMagallanes, November 10, 2020
Immature
Immatures are browner overall with streaking on the chest.
© Guillermo Saborío Vega / Macaulay LibraryCartago, August 12, 2017Adult
A lean and long-legged falcon that often hunts from the ground and drinks from small pools of water.
© Gregory Griffith / Macaulay LibraryCojedes, February 01, 1998Not all videos have sound
Adult
Adults are dark brown to slate blue above and tricolored below; a dark band separates the white or buffy chest from the rusty lower belly.
© José Esquivel / Macaulay LibraryCorrientes, August 14, 2016Immature
Note that the tail extends well beyond the wings when perched.
© Jerome Foster / Macaulay LibraryTunapuna-Piarco, October 26, 2016Adult
The underwing linings often appear dark at a distance. Hunts insects and birds in midair.
© Brian SullivanTexas, November 13, 2011Similar SpeciesAmerican Kestrel
Adult male (Northern)
American Kestrels are smaller than Aplomado Falcons. Adult male kestrels have spotting on the back and breast that Aplomado Falcons lack.
© Ron Batie / Macaulay LibraryArizona, February 20, 2017Similar SpeciesAmerican Kestrel
Adult male (Northern)
American Kestrels are smaller with shorter wings and a shorter tail than Aplomado Falcons. Kestrels have only a single band on the tail unlike the Aplomado Falcon's black-and-white banded tail.
© Jacob Drucker / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, September 06, 2016Similar SpeciesPeregrine Falcon
Adult
Peregrine Falcons don't have the Aplomado Falcon's heavy breast band or a rusty lower belly.
© Ryan Schain / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, November 12, 2011Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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Species in This Family
Falcons and Caracaras(Order: Falconiformes, Family: Falconidae)
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